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Closure order proposed for unlicensed PPES
The Places of Public Entertainment (Amendment) Bill 1997 which seeks to empower the licensing authorities to apply to a magistrate for a Closure Order to close any unlicensed places of public entertainment (PPEs), including cinemas, was published in the Gazette today (Friday).
Under the Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation, no person shall keep or use any PPEs without a licence. At present, the Urban Council and the Regional Council which are the licensing authorities in their respective areas, have no power to order an unlicensed PPE to be closed.
"In order to strengthen enforcement action against the continued illegal operation of unlicensed PPES, the Bill intends to empower the licensing authorities to apply to a magistrate for the grant of a Prohibition Order to prohibit the keeping or use of a PPE for all purposes or for any purposes specified in the Prohibition Order," a Government spokesman said.
"If the Prohibition Order is breached, the licensing authorities may apply to a magistrate for a Closure Order to close the unlicensed business," he added.
Similar provisions already exist under section 128 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance in respect of unlicensed food premises.
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on 5 March.
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Tender for new Lantau taxi licences
The Transport Department today (Friday) invites tenders for 10 new Lantau taxi licences.
The issuing of these new taxi licences would help to meet the increasing demand for taxi services in North Lantau, a spokesman for the Transport Department said.
The invitation for tender is published in today's gazette.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.